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Is the legal grey area of textbook digitization more of a legal deathwish?

gacxllr9 — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:22:14 -0800

I'm starting up a textbook digitization business on campus which converts physical textbooks into PDFs: Is the legal grey area that this falls into more of a legal deathwish? After a few weeks researching this idea and drafting up a business plan, my legal concerns are keeping me from getting too invested in this idea. What I'm proposing to do is to start a textbook digitization business in which students can convert their textbooks into PDFs. As a current undergraduate, I feel like I'm in a position to identify new customers rather easily and provide a service for which other students have demonstrated a need.

Here's a simplified model:
-Scan in a textbook used by a certain class using a Fujitsu ScanSnap (requires some initial investment into the destruction of a textbook)
-Find several students to purchase the PDF copy of the textbook, each one personalized for each student and offered up on a CD.

Not sure if I'm making a mountain out of a molehill here, but the copyright notice inside of most textbooks makes it explicitly clear that "derived works" constitute copyright infringement. I know that publishers would look the other way if an individual were scanning a textbook this way, but I'm not sure why it should change if a business is offering this service.

A few of my safeguards against litigation:
1. Inserting metadata into the PDFs to personally identify the customer (To discourage circulation on P2P networks of the file)
2. Including a Terms of Use .txt file on the CD which stores the PDF
3. Recording some information about each physical textbook in order to prevent two people from trying to convert the same textbook

Just looking for input / legal advice.

What are the best books to read if I'm interested in incorporating a business?

christopherbdnk — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 09:07:21 -0800

What are the best books to read if I'm interested in incorporating a business? In this I'm interested in more legal-oriented books (taxes, finding a CPA), as well as general advice/best practices. Additionally, I'll ask for a small bit of advice here:

Is it worth hiring a CPA from the start, or is this something we should think about in the future? I'd like to handle as much of this on my own as possible, but I'm also mindful of my own limitations, both with hours and expertise. Also, around how much should I expect to pay a lawyer for an initial consultation?

(I'm a Journeyman Librarian)

sonic meat machine — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:11:51 -0800

If you were building a library collection around the history of business—guilds, apprenticeships, royal charter companies, corporations, and so on—what books would you select?

Looking for business books!

wordsmith — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:44:35 -0800

I've just accepted a full time (telecommuting, FWIW) position with a Fortune 50 company. What are some must-read business books? I'm looking for a whole swath of books ranging in topics from leadership and management to to dealing with office politics to humorous takes on working in a large corporation -- anything that I can learn from. What are the must-reads in this genre?

One-stop Book Repair Shop

ikahime — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:24:07 -0800

I'm trying to cover all my bases for my budding book repair business. I'm sure in the process people will be asking me to appraise their books. For my own collection, I've found it adequate to use the usual online suspects, such as Abebooks, alibris, vialibri, amazon, ebay, etc. What more can I do to educate myself on this process? Are there formal classes I should be looking into? Also, when providing this service, what is the standard fee, or is there one? Should I just charge my hourly rate, but for research instead of conservation work?

Help me with my Portfolio!

damiano99 — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 09:49:29 -0800

Photography Portfolio Filter: I'm finally hanging out my shingle *officially* to do portrait shoots and show my more *artistic* work beyond the few small galleries I've already been in. To whit, I'm putting together two portfolio books. One for prospective portrait clients and another for gallery work. My question is one of formatting the pictures within the portfolio book. (More inside....) I'm currently doing a mockup of my portfolio (until I have time to rescan and edit the chromes, etc) and my pictures are split evenly between square medium format and rectangular 35mm and a healthy amount of digital. Before I go any further, I wanted to clarify a question.

My question is whether it's best to use the whole 8.5x11 space on the portfolio page for each picture and fill it in edge to edge or is it best to laydown a solid background (black/white) and put the picture smaller but as intended with it's cropping correct and in it's correct ratio in the center of the page?

Which would be more pleasing and accessible to both clients and gallery owners? Is it a aesthetic choice or one of standard industry practice?

Since my body of work is small still and I'm relatively new I'm really wanting to use these to attract new people willing to try out a newbie so I can expand my portfolio, experience and knowledge.

Business Biographies?

um_maverick — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 06:33:35 -0800

I'm heading on a long trip in a week, and need some reading materials. I enjoy "business biographies" - stories about business, deals, etc. Looking for recommendations for books I haven't read yet Some of my recent reads, and older favorites, include:

*Barbarians at the Gate
*The Wal-Mart Effect
*The Latte Factor
*Various HBR Collections
*The Google Story
*Feeding the Monster
*Liar's Poker
*Moneyball
*Disney War

I've also enjoyed the "softer" business-y books such as Freakonomics and a couple of Dale Carnegie books.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I came across these threads, and there were some books that fit the bill, but most were general business, not the "business biographies" that I'm looking for.

Thanks!

Social Entreprenuership in Print

divabat — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 22:49:34 -0800

What are some good books and magazines related to social enterprise, social entrepreneurship, and the Fourth Sector? I've seen a lot of management/business books but they tend to focus on "MAKE MORE MONEY YAY" and not much on benefiting society or community development. Some I've found useful are:

* GOOD magazine
* Let's Not Screw It, Let's Just Do It by Richard Branson
* Occasional issues of Fast Thinking

any others?

Recommend me a good book on business corruption?

jacobean — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 12:27:00 -0800

I am looking for a business book that reflects the way business is really done. I am looking for general business books that reflects the way business is really done. I am tired of reading books that talk about "happy-clappy" concepts that most of the time don't happen in real business life. I am looking for a business book(s) or even business novels that shows the harsh reality of the business world. I am tired of reading general business books that have a warm fuzzy glow about them. I do not want to read another business book that contains mini-case studies of how Apple is innovative or how Ben and Jerrys's is ethical. Likewise, books that claim the customer is king and books that talk warmly of how great client-vendor relationships can be. Basically, I want a book that dishes the dirt on the business world and tells is as it is.

The chasm between the way business actions are described in business textbooks of my college days and the the real-world seems to be huge. I need some books to bridge that chasm.

I liked 'Memo from David O. Selznick' - something similar ?

southof40 — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 06:27:22 -0800

I've really enjoyed reading 'Memo from David O. Selznick' - can anyone suggest something in a similar line ? Can anyone recommend books which bear a similarity to 'Memo from David O. Selznick' ?

The book is his collected corrrespondence and I enjoyed the insight into how he conducted business.

As Mr Selznick was a film producer in the 1930/40's the emphasis is on show biz issues at that time.

However I'd be interested in books covering any area of business at any time and which illuminated how things were done and why without getting involved in the sort of hero worship which is often an integral part of contemporary business biographies.

I am considering taking over a small grocery store in Brooklyn.

Morgangr — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 05:52:04 -0800

I am considering taking over a small grocery store in Brooklyn. I am looking for reading material that would better prepare me for running this type of business. In absence grocery specific books, I would be interested in general small business management books that others have found useful. Thanks.

What's a good "how to start your own business" read?

c:\awesome — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 21:33:55 -0800

What's the most compelling, narrative-driven (perhaps), "how to start your own business" book you've read? When you browse the reference aisles in most bookstores, there seems to be an abundance of two types of "how to" books: "how to write/publish your own book", and "how to start your own business." Of all the "how to write your own book" books I've read, Stephen King's "On Writing" was the best. It was astute, succinct, enjoyable, and very compelling. Beyond, perhaps, "The Elements of Style," I can't think of another book that made me want to take up a pen and paper more.

But what about "how to start your own business" books? Have you read one that stood out as being better than the usual trite "Dummy's Guide?" If so, what was it, and what made it so compelling? Bonus points for something as humorous and wry as "On Writing."

Help me read more.

davebush — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 07:41:12 -0800

I read too many online articles and not enough books. Help me. Being self-employed, I've developed a mental attitude of "if I'm awake, I'm working." Even if I'm not actively performing a task, I'm still thinking about my business all the time. I make regular trips to the library, bringing home books that relate to my business, but rarely actually finish reading them. Rationally, I understand the value of reading a book, but I tend to look for small tasks that show results quickly (unlike the several hours a book would consume). How can I train myself to build reading into my schedule, and overcome the nagging "stop reading and do something more productive" feeling?

I need the smart-but-not-too-smart bag to end all bags!

Chorus — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 08:07:52 -0800

I need the smart-but-not-too-smart bag to end all bags! Naturally, there's So, having been accepted into a business degree, I got the impression from the interview that there's a certain dresscode standard expected from the business students. I'm pretty sure they don't expect suits, but from the wrinkled noses I could tell that showing up everyday in jeans, a hoodie and trainers was a no-no. The clothing aspect of this is fine, however I've discovered I really need an everyday book bag - the ultimate bag!

Requirements:
- Has to look "business/executive-y", but not so old that it'd look out of place or too try-hard on a student. To get my money's worth, I'd like to be able to use this bag for daytrips, office tours, work expereince and probably weekends in the library.
- It can't be a backpack, either messenger or shoulder only.
- Leather seems like too much hassel to take care of, maybe something in nylon? I have an Elecom bag that's the bee's knees, but it's too small.
- It's got to be able to hold a shoe bag containing my trainers & [squished] sweats [I'll be walking to and from college each day]
- It's got to hold a bento/lunchbox, or a thermos
- Uh, has to hold books & A4 pads too [not folders though]
- That little panel at the front with room for change, pens, phone, PDA, etc. would be handy.
- €100/$130 max price inc. shipping to Europe
- I'd quite like a navy bag, rather than black or brown. I'm open to dark greens/burgundy's too.

I was thinking of trying a small carry-on bag, some of those can be quite elegant and not uber-mature looking. A big concern of mine is bulkiness with all the junk I have to cram in. A doctor's bag is way too formal, a regular messenger bag isn't formal enough. No, I won't have access to lockers.

I know it seems like I'm uber picky, but I've really gotten the impression that appearances count. Even if you can recommend brands that I can research myself?

Classic Investment Books... What Have I Missed?

Fuzzy Monster — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 06:19:29 -0800

Classic Investment Books... What Have I Missed? I’m always looking to increase my understanding of investing, so I thought I’d ask you fine folks for help expanding my reading list.

I’ve got a pretty broad definition of ‘Investment Books’: I’m not just looking for ‘How To Invest’-style books, I’m also looking for books on the history of successful businesses, biographies of great investors, histories of The Great Depression, business scandals and the psychology of economics (behavioral economics). Anything you could recommend would be appreciated.

What I’ve read so far:

The Intelligent Investor by Ben Graham
The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need by Andrew Tobias
The Little Book That Beats The Market by Joel Greenblatt
Reminiscences of a Stock Operator by Edwin Lefèvre
One Up On Wall Street by Peter Lynch
Against The Gods by Peter L. Bernstein
The Future For Investors by Jeremy Siegel
The Smartest Guys in The Room by Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind
When Genius Failed: The Rise and Fall of Long-Term Capital Management by Roger Lowenstein
Vendetta: American Express and the Smearing of Edmond Safra by Bryan Burrough

On my list to read:

A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton G. Malkiel
Extraordinary Popular Delusions and The Madness of Crowds by Charles Mackay
The Wisdom of Crowds by James Surowiecki
Stocks for The Long Run by Jeremy Siegel
Barbarians At The Gates by Bryan Burrough and John Helyar

Where should I sell my hundreds of baseball books?

YoungAmerican — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 17:55:39 -0800

Where can I most effectively sell a huge quantity of baseball books? I'm moving, and I have to get rid of several hundred As a teenager, I was a monumental baseball nut (ok, baseball nerd), and I have a six foot bookshelf worth of baseball books from that time -- a gajillion, in other words. The books are mostly older, mostly but not all quality. About 50/50 hardcover and paperback. I'd sell them on Amazon, but I'm sure many of them I'd lose money on with their fee structure.

Let's make a comprehensive list of good business books/magazines

petah — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 16:00:46 -0800

Reading/BusinessFilter: I've started reading some business books that I found on the PMBA reading list and I'm intrigued. I was wondering if any of you had any suggestions expanding on this list, whether it be business books or business magazines. For those of you who don't know the Personal MBA reading list, it's a collection of 42 books that were assembled as suggested reading material for those who would like to expand their knowledge of business. (http://personalmba.com/comments.php?DiscussionID=219&page=1#Item_0)

Now I've started on some of the books on the list, and have skipped others, but I was wondering if any of you had any suggestions for books/magazines that would expand on this list.

I'm welcoming ANY suggestions related to business(such as biographies of people like Bill Gates). I want the most comprehensive list of GOOD business-related books so that I can have a reading list for the next... well, few years.

Also, what are some good business/entrepreneur magazines? I'm interested in subscribing to a couple.

Sales process development books

will — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 21:26:07 -0800

Have a sales process development book or other resource recommendation? Looking for something practical with sample processes and documents, less on theory.

when your on your own...

grimley — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 12:22:50 -0800

My s.o. and I are at a crossroads. We are both architects and are hoping to start a fashion/design company that will be able to sustain our incomes (at least partially). We have product, we have a website, we have customers. What we are looking for are good books/websites/opinions on how to proceed out of our day-to-day jobs and into our own billing/taxes/sustainability models. We are open to "get a lawyer" responses, but are really looking to get our heads around some business concepts. Any sources that you have found helpful? design business models...

What are some good business books?

geoff. — Sat, 01 Oct 2005 13:06:41 -0800

I'd like some good business (commodities, economics, markets, etc.) book to read. I'm tired of all the, excuse my French, BS books I've come across. I don't want a get-rich quick or anything motivational. I've read the summer reading standard Freakonomics and The World is Flat as of late, feeling the same way level of beach book dissapointment I did when I broke down and read The DaVinci Code. The former was entertaining, though somewhat useless and the latter just was boring and repetitive after say -- chapter 2. I've been paticularly interested in game theory lately and how it can be applied... There must be good business books out there with some interesting theories or actual applications. I'm an International Business major so I have my fill of case studies and dry textbook material. I have not formally studied game theory but what I've read on the Internet seems really interesting. I've been searching across Amazon and most game theory texts were actual college textbooks which I wouldn't mind reading except for the absurdly high college textbook prices.

Really anything business-oriented has interested me lately -- broad economics (I should say as a business major I've had all the primers, so I'm not really looking for an intro) and perhaps even economic history really interest me. I'm not really kean on reading a bunch of mathematical proofs unless they're shown in context or in someway relevant so I can grasp them.

I guess I might have a hard time explaining what I like because I've never come across it. I always feel fufilled or at least even more curious after philosophy texts or other intellectual reading, but business books seem somewhat aimed for the "Who Cut the Cheese?" crowd (which I haven't read but the length, title and comments from people who've read it lead me to believe it's middle-management motivational stuff). I hate walking away from these business books and going "Well duh" or having no other information I could have gleaned if the book had been cut down to a few lines without the anecdotes of all the rich, powerful people the author met. Sorry to be so picky, but you guys are great at picking out good books.

Recommendations for marketing books.

judith — Tue, 17 Aug 2004 13:15:57 -0800

What marketing books have you found effective? I'm specifically looking for senior-level strategy books, more specifically in high-tech, but open to general product marketing as well. I'm thinking of things like Davidow's Marketing High Technology or Moore's Crossing the Chasm Thanks!

Time Management for Businesses

will — Tue, 24 Feb 2004 17:35:07 -0800

What's the best book out there on time management? I've yet to find one that does it all: explain the key concepts of time management, provide a proven framework for gaining control of your time, and identify common mistakes and helpful tips.

Extra points if it deals specifically with any of the following contexts: entrepreneurship, running a proprietorship or small business.